I wanted to feature a camera on this card as my brother is a keen and talented photographer, in fact he's recently had his snap of Brighton Pier published in the August edition of Sussex Life, you can see it here. Unusually for me there's very little stamping on this card just the sentiments on the front and insert. I don't mind admitting that I find men's cards a pain in the arse and nearly resorted to buying one.

It was a busy weekend which commenced with a gut-busting full English at The Caff followed by hedge cutting, dividing perennials, hanging dusty drawers in the living room and coat hooks and saucepan rack in my craft room. Look away Emma Kate, I did not countersink the screws or fill the holes with wood filler....they are visible!

Sunday, 21 September 2014

I'd almost forgotten that my space in the blogosphere started life as a craft blog, it's been so long since I posted anything crafty. But with xmas rapidly approaching I've been making a few simple cards now and again so with this in mind here's my entry for the following challenges.

Penny Black music stamp circa 2000Stampin Up sentiment (not keen on this but the size was right)

Xcut heart die

Antique Linen DI, Satin Red and Vintage Sepia Versafine

Red marker pen

Bakers twine

Hougie board for scoring frame

Another thing I knocked up this week was my Poundland tea towel cushion cover....ta dah!

The tea towel isn't really big enough and I should have backed it with a different fabric but I'm too impatient for that and pushed on with a where there's a will there's a way attitude. OK, it's not brilliant but it sort of works, it'll be covered in cat hair in a week anyway.

On Friday I took Dad to Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking for a tour of the vineyard. It was a belated birthday present and I have to say it was a bloody good one. The tour around the vineyard was accompanied by an extremely interesting commentary about the vines, the permaculture and climate. Also, info from our guide about the surrounding area.... Box Hill, of which, on a clear day there would have been outstanding views, but sod's law it was very misty when we visited. Apparently John Logie Baird lived high up on the hill and used to send test signals to his mate in the town below. The ticket price included a snifter too, a glass of their very acceptable sparkling wine.

Another fabulous place I visited this weekend is Withypitts Dahlias which I read about in Sussex Life. As it's only down the road from me in Turners Hill I popped down there with my camera, unfortunately it was overcast.

If you're in the area it's well worth a visit, the blooms are stunning, the proprietor told me that they supply Covent Garden market with a choice selection twice a week.

I've just read that red is back in fashion this winter...oh the relief!

Sunday, 14 September 2014

I went to Ardingly Antiques Fair recently where BBC1's Bargain Hunt was being filmed.
You know, it's presented by that Tim Wonnacott bloke....who incidentally must live round here as I've seen him in our butchers. Anyways as usual at these sort of places, I forgot to take many pictures, in fact I took only two and unwittingly there was a bum theme.

What does that say about me? I daresay you'll draw your own conclusions.

I didn't buy much but enjoyed chatting to the stallholders and discussing their wares.
I even bagged myself a freebie coat hook from a very nice man who sold my friend Juliette a wooden tea trolley.

I also came home with these knackered and dusty old drawers which I bought for a few quid with the intention of hanging on the wall as they do in those trendy interiors shows. I'll fill them with crap carefully selected pieces and my Portuguese cock.

Oh yeah, didn't I mention? I've just returned from a few days on the sun soaked Algarve.
Only my third trip abroad this year... I'm making up for the five years that I didn't have one holiday.
This was my first time to Portugal, I stayed in the historic maritime town of Lagos in a villa owned by my friend, we had a fine time eating sardines, drinking sangria, seeing the sights and lapping up the rays.

Beautiful ceramic tiles cover surfaces everywhere.

This stunning mural sits behind the altar in the church of Santa Maria

Lagos was the gateway for the first African slaves into post-medieval Europe, the slave market above goes back to 1444. Thought provoking facts I think you'll agree.

Now back in Blighty, I finally got round to ironing some clobber I recently bought at my first vintage kilo sale which is held monthly in a Worthing warehouse. I did quite well although I think a couple of items are 'vintage style' rather than the real deal as they look unworn. That's OK I'm no purist.

Monday, 1 September 2014

French junk is trés chic, n'est pas? And what with all the telly programmes of late showing us what and how to buy over there I was dying to see what I could score without spending too much dosh, whilst on my recent holiday. I googled the local tourist office before leaving home to see if there were any flea markets in our area while we were there, but didn't have much luck with that. However, upon arrival into the area I spied a Brocante, so one day when the weather wasn't all that, we headed off. Major disappointment... it was so expensive! I had my eye on a pastis bottle but the price at this establishment was €19. What??? The shop owner, a miserable bastard saw my camera, put his palm in my face and said 'Non!'. I still had the lens cap on! Suffice to say we did not stop long. Fortunately I'd also asked the local bar owner if there were any junky type Brocantes nearby and she recommended this place.

After M'sieur Grumpy Bollocks Thierry was an absolute delight. A very affable chap who, when asked if it was OK to take pictures, stretched his arms wide and replied 'bien sûr'.

Thierry's was a veritable Aladdin's cave with stuff in several outbuildings and canvas awnings.

If religious statuary is your thing, there's loads of it knocking about in France.

I didn't have the heart to haggle as he was such a nice bloke and I thought €10 was reasonable. The next day we were up early and off to a couple of Vide Greniers I'd seen advertised earlier in the week, where I managed to snaffle a rustic saucepan rack/shelf and a lovely pastis bottle for 50 centimes!

( The glass was an early birthday present from my brother and SIL.)

More glasses were bought at a Brocante event at St Cyr en Talmondais, a neighbouring village

together with a rusty pitchfork head, that I've yet to find a home for

set of glasses and fork - €1 each

.....and a few more bits besides.

The day before we came home I dragged Dad back to Thierry's, bought more glasses and this fabulous 1972 film poster, total cost €5.

So buying in France doesn't have to be expensive, there are bargains to be found, you have to keep looking......I reckon rural areas are better. Any of you have tips for vintage shopping in France?
Me, I can't wait to go back.